Egg Drop Soup (Better than Restaurant Quality!)

Believe it or not, you can make restaurant-worthy egg drop soup at home with this top-rated recipe!

What Is Egg Drop Soup?

Egg drop soup (or egg flower soup) is a Chinese soup that features silky strands of eggs in chicken broth. The beaten egg is whisked into the boiling broth at the end of cooking, creating delicate strands or flakes that float on top of the broth. It often has seasonings (like salt and white pepper), tofu, and/or some sort of green garnish. 

Traditional Chinese egg drop soups tend to have a thinner consistency than Western versions. 

How to Make Egg Drop Soup

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Egg Drop Soup Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this egg drop soup recipe: 

• Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth. 
• Sauces and oils: Soy sauce and sesame oil lend savory, umami-rich flavor. 
• Water and cornstarch: A water and cornstarch slurry is optional, but it slightly thickens the soup (this is typical of Western variants). 
• Egg: It wouldn’t be “egg drop soup” without an egg!
• Food coloring: You can make the yellow hue more vibrant with food coloring, but it’s not necessary.   
• Seasonings: Simply season the egg drop soup with salt and white pepper if you like. 
• Chives: Garnish each serving with fresh chives for a pop of bright flavor and color. 

How to Make Homemade Egg Drop Soup

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this restaurant-quality egg drop soup at home:

1. Boil the broth with the soy sauce and sesame oil. 
2. Pour the slurry and food coloring into the boiling broth (if using). 
3. Slowly pour in the beaten egg and season. 

What to Serve With Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup works well as a light entrée, but it is traditionally served as a side dish or appetizer with other Chinese or Asian fare. Try one of these delicious ideas: 

• Asian Orange Chicken
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Quick Beef Stir-Fry
• Chinese Chicken-Fried Rice
• Chinese Pepper Steak

How to Store Egg Drop Soup

Store your leftover egg drop soup for up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“The soup is so quick and easy,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “I added a dash of turmeric for color. Also, I added a little tofu and chives. We loved it!”

“Very tasty and so easy,” according to Bj King. “I did not use food coloring and I added powdered bullion for extra flavor.”

“This is a go-to recipe,” says Lisa Russ-Hiatt. “Easy and you can adjust the added ingredients to your taste. It tastes just as good as takeout, especially when I make homemade Crab Rangoon in my air fryer!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams